180 Degree Rule

In filmmaking, the 180 degree rule is a basic guideline that states that two characters in the same scene should always have the same left/right relationship to each other. If the camera were to pass over the imaginary axis connecting the two subjects then this would be called 'crossing the line'. The new shot which is from the opposite side will be known as a 'reverse angle'. 'Crossing the line' means shooting consecutive shots from opposite sides of the line. The 180 degree rule is a huge aspect within film grammar, the director's template has a tool of drawing and to get used to it, it is worth while to draw it out to understand the concept.

Insted of the standard 'Coverage' showing the iner-relationship of characters, another method of shot/reverse/shot can be utilized where the characters Point of View is seen, this effect is mainly used to create a connection with the character, and the basic format for this would be;

• to show that the character is looking
• to show what the character is looking at
• to show the characters reaction to what he is seeing

An example of a 180 degree rule would be;
Between two characters, if the first character is on the left, the second one on the right should be facing right at all times even when the first one is off the edge of the frame, just like how the first character should always be facing to the left.

Another example would be within a sequence of an action scene, like a car chase if a vehicle were to leave the right side of the frame in one shot then it should enter the shot again from the left side. Leaving from the right and entering from the right will create a simular sense of disorientation as in the character example.

In this diagram you can see the two chairs, the line that shouldn't be crossed and the camera. The camera can move anywhere within the half circle, but it shouldn't stay across the red line. Otherwise, cut shots between talking characters would have them facing the same direction.